Anxious wait for Saifur's June 12 announcement

Showdown by BNP rivals... Truck owners association brought out a procession in Sylhet city on Tuesday protesting comments against Saifur Rahman while followers of Ilyas Ali holding a rally at Osmany Nagar in his favour. PHOTO: STAR

The common men with a mixed feeling are waiting for the announcement at the reception by the BNP stalwart who earlier spoken about his resignation and possible retirement from politics after placing the national budget in parliament following his row with young party lawmaker Ilyas Ali.

On the other hand, many people believe the elderly leader, who is also the lawmaker from the Sylhet Sadar constituency, will not resign now for 'strategic reasons'.

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NP politics in Sylhet region got a big shake weeks ago after Saifur Rahman demanded action against M Ilyas Ali, who earlier criticised him.

The row has spilled over grassroots level, deepening the crisis in ruling BNP in greater Sylhet region, political observers said.

Leaders at district and upazila levels are also falling apart centering the conflict, which, unless mended immediately, will have a disastrous impact on the party in next election, they said.

Saifur threatened to resign from the government as well as BNP after placing the national budget if the party failed to take action against Ilyas. He also expressed his desire quit politics. He then said he would give a decision after three days, which ended June 6.

Meantime, his followers organsied some local elite in the name of 'Amra Sylhet Bashi' (we the people of Sylhet), who, at a press conference called upon the prime minister to dissuade Saifur from resigning. They also threatened to launch tougher agitation if Saifur resigns.

On the other hand, followers of Ilyas also organised rallies in his constituency and said they would go for agitation if action is taken against Ilyas.

Amra Sylhet Bbashi' at an emergency meeting held on Tuesday decide to hold the June 12 reception at Rikabibazar and mobilise about one lakh people there.

Meanwhile, pro-Saifur transport owners and workers brought out a truck-autorickshaw procession and held a rally in the city on Tuesday demanding action against Ilyas for his "audacious" remarks against Saifur.

Speakers there said they will "cripple Sylhet" and delink it from rest of the country by putting up road barricades if Saifur resigns.

Followers of Ilyas also held a number of rallies in Balaganj and Biswanath upazilas and in Osmaninagar thana in last few days, threatening tougher agitation.